Victoria carrying too much of the burden
Times Colonist
June 22, 2014
Re: “We need to think more regionally,” letter, June 19.
While I agree with the letter-writer’s statement that we need to think more regionally to deliver the service taxpayers expect and deserve from their municipal government, I would also say it takes all parties thinking and acting that way.
For far too long, the City of Victoria has been focused on meeting the regional needs of the Capital Regional District with little to show for it. We carry the greatest burden for policing. We are absorbing the full cost of the Johnson Street Bridge replacement after federal contributions. We agreed to bus lanes along Douglas Street to accommodate commuters coming from Saanich and the western communities with little to show for it. I could go on.
It is high time that Victoria city council start putting Victoria’s needs first when seeking to solve regional issues. For example, how about Victoria offering to host a sewage treatment plant at Clover Point serving Victoria, Oak Bay and Esquimalt? Let’s face it; all the sewage pipes already lead there. In return, Oak Bay and Esquimalt could agree to a fully integrated police, fire and parks service.
Victoria needs to start standing up for itself and no longer carry the burden for the region.
Paul Brown
Victoria
© Copyright Times Colonist
Times Colonist
June 22, 2014
Re: “We need to think more regionally,” letter, June 19.
While I agree with the letter-writer’s statement that we need to think more regionally to deliver the service taxpayers expect and deserve from their municipal government, I would also say it takes all parties thinking and acting that way.
For far too long, the City of Victoria has been focused on meeting the regional needs of the Capital Regional District with little to show for it. We carry the greatest burden for policing. We are absorbing the full cost of the Johnson Street Bridge replacement after federal contributions. We agreed to bus lanes along Douglas Street to accommodate commuters coming from Saanich and the western communities with little to show for it. I could go on.
It is high time that Victoria city council start putting Victoria’s needs first when seeking to solve regional issues. For example, how about Victoria offering to host a sewage treatment plant at Clover Point serving Victoria, Oak Bay and Esquimalt? Let’s face it; all the sewage pipes already lead there. In return, Oak Bay and Esquimalt could agree to a fully integrated police, fire and parks service.
Victoria needs to start standing up for itself and no longer carry the burden for the region.
Paul Brown
Victoria
© Copyright Times Colonist
